Component-based development of dynamic workflow systems using the coordination paradigm

We argue for the need to use control-based, event-driven and state-defined coordination models and associated languages in modelling and automating business processes (workflows). We propose a two-level architecture of a hierarchical workflow management system modelled and developed in such a state-of-the-art coordination language. The main advantage of a hierarchical, coordination-based architecture is that individual workflow entities can be easily replaced with others, without disrupting the overall workflow process. Each individual workflow entity exhibits a certain degree of flexibility and autonomy. This makes possible the construction of workflow systems that bring further improvements to process automation and dynamic management, such as dynamic (re-) allocation of activities to actors, reusability of coordination (collaboration) patterns, etc. A case study is presented to demonstrate the use of our approach.